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Nice one great to see

Well done Paul and Dave, need to find the missing parts from the car now. I know you're getting very little help with that but keep going!

Nice 1800 with rally history

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... nt/4651559

Pete wrote:
Well done Paul and Dave, need to find the missing parts from the car now.

I know you're getting very little help with that but keep going!

I took these pictures long time a go, the owner back than told me this was
a Works car made to help when a other Rally Works Coopers had problems.
It was a Morris Cooper 1275 S Mk1 1964 Nr. K-A2S4L-767519.

On the shelf were signs of tool grips to hold tools.
As far as I can remember it was a RHD converted to LHD.

If this is a interresting one, I have the owners name but
do not know if he still lives in Antwerpen Belgum.

Kees

Did find a letter from Dave Gilbert after asking about this "Works" Mini Cooper, please for all of you to read it.

The continuing research into the history of the original GRX 309D led me to the very interesting stories of the discovery of LRX 827E and LRX 829E ( see ' Later Works Minis ' thread ) and this highlighted the similarities these three cars share post Abingdon competition days. I ended up contacting Guy Smith, owner of the original LRX 829E, who was very helpful and informative, and after digesting the details this is how I see the similarities. All three cars left the Comps. Dept as complete cars less some Works parts, all three assumed different identities at this time, LRX 829E and GRX 309D are both recorded in the Browning book as sold abroad ( LRX Australia, GRX to USA ), both still retain their body numbers and both are unrestored. I'm not sure about the body number of 827E, there doesn't appear to be one present on the restored car in the old Miniworld article, but the front panel could have been replaced. Both LRX have had the original registration numbers re-allocated to them. GRX 309D registration is on another car.
From a restoration point of view, Guy is lucky to have photographs ( and vast knowledge gained through 30 odd years of obsession with works minis ! ) of the dash that was missing from 829E, also a genuine panel.
We are still trying to locate dash photos ( which may not exist ) for 309D.
I will add more as it comes to me, and will post the photos of LRX 829E, from 1988 when Guy bought it on the ' Later Works Minis ' thread where I think they are more appropriate. Thanks to Guy for sharing these.

Dave

These pictures where taken by me in 1982 at the Museum ad that time
where the Works LBL 6D and 621OAK where on display.

Kees

Paul is eager to start a ' sympathetic rebuild ' of the original GRX 309D, but I/we ( thanks Pete ! ) would like to show it to the public another time before the restoration starts. Because the British Mini Club ' minifair ' event ( in January ) is a fantastic event that is local to us and Ron, and usually attended by Paddy ( with Minisport ) we would like to make an appearance there, and possibly re-unite Paddy and Ron with the car. I will update when I have spoken to the organisers and Ron.

Dave

Still sorting details, but Paul's GRX 309D WILL be at Bingley Minifair to celebrate 50 years since the Flowers...will update with more information.

Dave

Let's hope Paddy or/and Ron can make it?

I'd better not miss it then, as it seems it's all of 32 miles away.
Have tonight got the esteemed author Doug Nye volunteering to check period reports of the 66 Welsh for any details of Fall's shunt in 309.

Be great to see you there Keith.

Pete wrote:Let's hope Paddy or/and Ron can make it?

Looking promising for Ron

After a bit of string pulling here and there Paddy Hopkirk and Ron Crellin will reunite with the first rally Mini they ever competed in together - 'GRX 309D', some 50 years ago on the Flowers Rally at Bingley Hall on January 31st. The car's 50 years old this year and wore the number 50 on that rally. Spooky or what?

Pete wrote:After a bit of string pulling here and there Paddy Hopkirk and Ron Crellin will reunite with the first rally Mini they ever competed in together - 'GRX 309D', some 50 years ago on the Flowers Rally at Bingley Hall on January 31st. The car's 50 years old this year and wore the number 50 on that rally. Spooky or what?

For those of us unable to attend, pictures please.

Pete wrote:After a bit of string pulling here and there Paddy Hopkirk and Ron Crellin will reunite with the first rally Mini they ever competed in together - 'GRX 309D', some 50 years ago on the Flowers Rally at Bingley Hall on January 31st. The car's 50 years old this year and wore the number 50 on that rally. Spooky or what?

Fantastic news Pete. Post event photos for those who can't attend, please and thanks!

I'll post pics up no problem. I think it'll be packed, it usually is even when there's not much going on!

I've not been to Bingley for about 7 years, I might wander down if the roads aren't covered in snow. I might take a few snaps whilst I'm there too.